Swimming pool cover anchor



y 1970 I H. A. PATNAUDE 3,520,004-

SWIMMING POOL COVER ANCHOR Filed Oct. 20, 19s? INVENTOR Henry A. Pafnaude ATTORNEY United States Patent Oflice 3,520,004 Patented July 14, 1970 3,520,004 SWIMMING POOL COVER ANCHOR Henry A. Patnaude, 831 Los Molinos Way, Sacramento, Calif. 95825 Filed Oct. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 676,836 Int. Cl. E04h 3/19 US. Cl. 4172.12 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cleat or anchor for a swimming pool cover characterized by a circular plate having a smooth convex top surface having a central opening, a projection extending into the opening laterally in flush relation with the top surface, and a drainage groove in the underside of the plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to anchors or cleats particularly adapted for securing swimming pool covers in position.

Description of the prior art Swimming pool covers are usually of canvas or similar material and are anchored by ropes extending at spaced intervals from the edges to cleats or anchors, usually spaced about the apron of the pool.

Heretofore such cleats, when permanently affixed, have had protruding hooks or other devices, which, extending around the apron of a pool, have provided a hazard for bathers, causing the danger of tripping or falling. This has necessitated their removal when the cover is not in use, and subsequent replacement.

Alternatively, cleats having a top surface flush with the pool apron have been countersunk, requiring the formation of costly holes or openings in the apron, which retain water, and which, in themselves, provide a hazard for bathers.

A primary object of this invention is therefore the provision of a cleat or anchor for swimming pool covers which provides a smoothly arcuate, relatively low protuberance which has no protruding hooks or other parts, which may be simply and easily permanently atfixed at spaced intervals around the pool, which drains itself, and which effectively and securely performs its function as a rope anchor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These objects and others are achieved by the provision of a relatively fiat disc having a flat underside and a smooth convex upper surface with a central opening therethrough, a projection or hook which extends laterally into the opening in flush relation with the convex top surface, and grooves on the flat underside intersecting the central opening to afford drainage, and which may be secured by means of screws or bolts to conventional cement anchors inset in the pool apron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a swimming pool showing the cover in place and secured to the anchors of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one form of anchor embodying the instant inventive concept;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view thereof; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows showing the anchor secured to the concrete apron of a pool.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, a fragment of a swimming pool is generally indicated at 10, surrounded by the usual series of capstones 11, and having a concrete apron 12. The pool is provided with a cover 13 having the usual spaced anchoring loops or ropes at suitable intervals thereabout. The anchors of the instant invention are generally indicated at 15, each of which comprises a disc-like plate having a convex upper surface 16 and a substantially flat bottom surface 17. An elongated central opening 18 extends through each plate and is provided with a hook or protuberance 19 secured to it integral with one side thereof as at 20, and extending substantially the full width of the opening. Protuberance 19 has a top surface 21 which is arcuate in configuration and substantially flush with the convex top surface of the disc. The bottom surface of protuberance 19 is undercut as at 22 (see FIG. 3) to provide space for the rope loop 14. The sides of the protuberance taper from the side of the opening towards the free end thereof as indicated at 23 to provide space along the sides for the reception of the rope or loop.

Openings 25 are provided extending entirely through the plate for the reception of screws 26 which are engaged in conventional concrete anchors 27 embedded in the pool apron 12 at desired spaced intervals. The tops of openings 25 are countersunk or bevelled as at 29 in order that the screw heads 30 may be completely countersunk and out of the way.

Transverse grooves 31 extend across the fiat surface of each anchor and connect with the central opening 18 to permit egress of any water trapped in opening 18, and to provide complete drainage of the opening.

In the use and operation of the device the anchors are uniformly spaced about the periphery of the pool and permanently secured to the apron in the manner described. When the cover is placed over the pool, the loops or ropes 14 are simply hooked around the pro tuberance 19, effectively securing the cover against accidental dislodgment. When the cover is not in use, the relatively fiat discs with the flush protuberances present no obstacle over which a bather may trip, and due to their relatively flat contour are not uncomfortable to the foot when stepped upon.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved swimming pool cover anchor which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A permanent, self-draining, safety cleat for anchoring a swimming pool cover loop rope-like connector, comprising a plate having a smooth arcuate, top, convex surface for allowing bathers to step thereon without hurting themselves, a fiat bottom surface and a central opening, the edge of the top surface merging into the bottom surface in a thin line for preventing a stumbling hazard to bathers, a protuberance extending from the side of the opening across a substantial portion of its width, said protuberance having rounded side edges and an inwardly tapering curve from the side of the opening towards its free end for reducing rubbing and eliminating cutting of the rope between said protuberance and said plate, said convex surface having countersunk bores therein for securing screws, and the flat bottom surface of said plate having a longitudinal groove diametrically positioned for allowing water entering the central portion of said plate 3 4 to immediately flow out Without building up in order to 2,702,513 2/1955 Tuttle. prevent rusting of said protuberance and said plate and ,038,171 6/1962 Bartolucci. to prevent unsanitary and unsafe pool conditions. 3,110,908 11/1963 Newgard.

References Cited I I 5 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner 1,742,839 1/1930 Williams. Us C 2,623,477 12/1952 Tuttle. 24 129, 265 

